Automatic feeding device for carbon-sheets.



PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

v e. W. normma, AUTOMATIC FEEDING DEVICE FOR CARBON SHEETS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14, 1903.

NOQMODEL.

INVENTOR, Wflonning,

is attorney.

UNITED STATES Patented July 5, 1904-.

PATENT OEEIcE.

AUTOMATIC FEEDING DEVICE FOR CARBON-SHEETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,436, dated July 5, 1904.

A li ti fil d February 14, 1908. Serial No. 143,422. (No model.)

1'0 all who/rt it 77'1/(07 concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE WASHINGTON DoNNINe, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Feeding Devices for Garbon-Sheets; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to automatic feeding devices for the carbon-sheet, mounted on a holder on the track-frame of a type-Writing machine of that type having a flat platen.

The object of my invention is to provide simple and effective devices for automatically feeding or shifting the carbon-sheet when the hinged track-frame carrying the work and the machine is either raised or lowered, so that fresh or unused parts of the carbon-sheet shall be presented to the type and the whole surface evenly used.

Another object is to provide means for causing the carbon-sheet, carried on rollers or otherwise, to be fed automatically either forward or backward over the flat platen, according to the will of the operator, either when the track-frame is raised or when it is lowered.

The carbon-sheet is in the nature of a wide ribbon or sheet wound upon rollers mounted transversely in opposite ends of the trackframe, so thatit may be traversed or fed longitudinally a short distance either forward or backward, depending upon whether the front or rear pawl is set to engage with the front or rear ratchet-wheel on the carrying rollers. In either case the feeding or shiftmg operation is automatic and saves the operator from handling the carbon-sheet, and

therefore saves time and prevents soiling the fingers and the work.

The parts and combinations of parts constituting my invention will be defined in the claims.

I will now describe the details of construcand feeding devices.

tion of my mechanism by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the track-frame pivoted to the table and having mounted therein my carbon-sheet holding Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the same devices and in addition a shifting-bar for the front and rear pawls, the spring-pawls being slightly modified in construction.

The track-frame A, hinged to the table B, the platen C, all lying in substantially parallel planes, and the machine or carriage shown on the track-frame are constructed and arranged substantially as shown in previous applications filed by me. The track-frame A has secured to its under side near its rear end the hangers or journal-boxes a for pivotally connecting the same by pins (4 to the posts 7), secured to the opposite sides of the table B, so that said frame maybe raised and lowered at the front end for arranging the work on the platen C. To the front and rear ends of the track-frame are also secured the depending hangers or journal-boxes a and a for receiving the journals of the shafts e and a of the front and rear rollers E E, on which is wound the wide carbon sheet or ribbon X. These rollers are made of any suitable material and are secured to the shafts e (1' so as to turn therewith. To the ends of shafts e e are secured the front and rear ratchet-wheels e and 6 which are properly toothed and arranged to be engaged and turned by pawls in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows.

The simplest embodiment of my invention embraces a single ratchet-wheel on shaft 0 at the front end of the track-frame and a fixed post 0, having atits upper end apawl 0; also, a spring-pawl f, pivoted to the journal-box a, for engaging the ratchet-wheel andpreventing it and the shaft e from turning backward. The post 0 is secured to the table and may be of yielding spring metal and the pawl or catch 0 made an integral part thereof, so that when the track-frame is lowered the ratchet-wheel will press the post backward till the pawl a enters a notch of the wheel and engages a tooth thereof. Evidently the post 0 may be of rigid material, and a pivoted spring-pawl may be applied to its upper end and adapted to engage with a tooth of the ratchet-wheel, as shown in Fig. 2, when the front end of the frame A is lowered into operative position.

I preferably provide for shifting or feeding the carbon-sheet either forward or backward by means of the following described mechanism: A longitudinally-movable bar D,

Fig. 2, which may be styleda shifting-bar.

carrying at each end a post and pivoted pawl, is mounted on the screw-threaded posts 6 6 so as to have back-and-forth endwise movement for causing a pawl to engage either the front or rear ratchet-wheel. The bar D may have two longitudinal slots, as 6?, through which the headed posts 6 b are passed, or it may be supported in eyes or collars on posts for permitting it to be reciprocated. the front end of bar D is rigidly secured the post (Z, having pivoted to it the pawl (Z adapted to engage with and turn the ratchetwheel 6 when the track-frame is raised. At the rear end of bar D. is rigidly secured the post d, to which is pivoted the pawl (Z adapted to engage with and turn the ratchet-wheel 6 when the track-frame is lowered. The pawls f and f are pivoted to the journal-boxes a and a or frame A for engaging with the front and rear ratchet-wheels and preventing them from turning backward. The bar D is provided witha knob or handle a for moving it back and forth. I propose to use either fixed or loose pawls on the posts (Z cl, and if they are fixed the posts will preferably be made of yielding spring metal, so that the pawls may be caused readily to engage with the teeth of the wheels.

The ratchet-wheel e is preferably rotated in a direction similar to the ratchet-wheel e to wind the carbon-sheetupon the rear roller E, and to this end the sheet extends down under and around the roll rather than over and around the same, as shown in Fig. 2.

It is to be understood that when either of the pawls ff are in engagement with its respective ratchet-wheel the other is out of engagement therewith, and its disengagement may be effected by hand or in any other desirable manner. As shown in Fig. 2, the rear pawl f is out of engagement with its ratchetwheel' whereas the forward pawl f is in engagement with its ratchet-wheel (2 The operation of my mechanism is very simple, and any part thereof can be quickly adjusted. If the carbon-sheet is to be fed forward, the bar D is pushed backward so as to move the post (Z into position for its pawl to engage with a tooth of ratchetwheel 6 The bar may be held in place by a set-screw working through the slot d into post 6. If

Near

the track-frame A is now raised, the ratchetwheel a will be automatically turned till the engaged tooth passes around out of the path of the pawl, thereby turning the front roller E and feeding the carbon-sheet X forward a short distance. WVhen it is desired to feed the carbon-sheet backward, the bar D is pulled forward and secured to bring the rear post d into position for its pawl to engage with ratchet-wheel 6 Now when the track-frame A after being raised is lowered the ratchetwheel 0 shaft 6, and roller E will be turned, thereby shifting the carbon-sheet backward a short distance. The carbon sheet or ribbon will usually be fed either forward or backward until it is wound from one roller onto the other roller before the bar D is shifted either forward or backward for changing the direction of the feed. y

A knob or crank-handle or other suitable device is applied to the shaft 6 or e or to both of said shafts for turning either one of them by hand for the purpose of winding all of the carbon-sheet from one roll or shaft onto the other one when it is desired to remove the carbon-sheet from the platen in order to use the machine for other purposes or when a worn-out carbon-sheet is to be replaced by a new one.

It is to be understood that other devices than those illustrated and described may be employed for effecting the turning of the carbon-carrying rollers and for reversing the direction of movement of the same and yet be within the spirit of my invention, which is a device for automatically positioning manifolding material across the platen by moving the track frame or rails. Moreover, the manifolding material may be fed automatically across the platen-that is, in a transverse direction.

The carriage F on the track-frame serves when pushed backward on said frame as means for operating the same on its hinged support--that is, raising the front end and when pushed forward lowering the frontend of said frame.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 1 claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a tiltable trackframe, of a holder thereon for a carbon-sheet, and means deriving movement from the motion of the frame for automatically feeding said sheet, substantially'as described.

2. In a flat-platen type-writer, the combina:

tion with tiltable track-rails or track-frame, of a carbon-sheet holder thereon, adapted for feeding the said sheet by the tilting or movement of the frame, substantially as described.

3. In afiat-platen type-Writer, the combination with a tiltable track frame or rails, of a revoluble carbon-sheet holder adapted to be rotated by the movement of the track frame or rails, substantially as described' L.- In a flat-platen type-writing machine,the combination with the movable track frame, of a revoluble carbon sheet holder therein, and means for automatically turning said holder to shift the earbon-sheet when the frame is raised, substantially as described.

5. In a fiat-platen type-writing machine,the combination with the movable track frame, of a revoluble carbon-sheet holder therein having a ratchet-wheel secured thereto, a table,

- having a ratchet-wheel, a reciprocating bar on the table and having a pawl adapted to en gage with said ratchet-wheel for feeding the carbon-sheet, substantially as described.

7. The combination with the table and the hinged automatically-movable track-frame, of the carbon-sheet holder-comprising two rollers, having ratchet-wheels, in said frame, and adjustable means on the table for engaging either of said ratchet-wheels for'feeding the carbon-sheet either forward or backward, substantially as described.

8. The combination with the table and the hinged track frame, of the carbon sheet holder, comprising two rollers mounted near opposite ends of said frame, ratchet-wheels on the shafts of said rollers, a shifting-bar mounted to move back and forth on the table and carrying two pawls adapted to be engaged separately with either of said ratchetwheels for feeding the carbon-sheet either forward or backward, substantially as de scribed.

9. The combination with a hinged track frame or rails, of a carbon-sheet carrier adjacent thereto, and means operable by the movement of the track frame or rails for automatically feeding the carbon-sheet, substantially as described.

10. The combination with the table, the platen and the hinged track-frame, of the carbon sheet holder, comprising two rollers mounted in the frame, and means connecting with one or both rollers for winding all of the sheet from one roller onto the other one, for removing the carbon-sheet from the face of the platen when desired, substantially as described.

11. In a type-writer, a platen, traveling writing mechanism, a tiltable frame supporting the writing mechanism and operable toward and away from the platen and hinged at a point somewhat removed from its rear end and intermediate of its length, and means for automatically tilting the frame by positioning the writing mechanism to one side of the hinge-point of the frame, said frame also constituting means for carrying carbon, substantially as described.

12. In a type-writer, a platen, a hinged frame operable toward and away from the platen, means for operating the same, said frame constituting, also, means for carrying carbon, and means actuated by the movement of the frame for operating the carbon relative to the frame, substantially asdeseribed.

13. 1 In a type-writer, a platen, a tiltable frame operable toward and away from the platen, means for operating the same, automatically, said frame constituting, also, means for carrying carbon, and means actuated by the movement of the frame for automatically feeding the carbon relative to the frame, substantially as described. 1

14. In a type-writer, a platen, a pivoted frame hinged intermediate of its length, writing mechanism adapted to traverse said frame to one side of the hinge-point thereof for automatically tilting the frame, the said frame serving, also, as a means for carrying carbon to be shifted by the movement of the frame, substantially as described.

15. In atype-writer, a platen, a pivoted, tiltable frame, hinged intermediate of its length, writing mechanism adapted to traverse the frame and, when positioned to one side of the hinge-point thereof, to effect automatic tilting of the frame, the frame serving, also, as a carbon-carrier,and supporting means for shifting the carbon, said means being actuated by the movement of the track-frame, substantially as described.

16. In a type-writer, a platen, a pivoted tiltable frame, writing mechanism ad apted to traverse the frame, means for automatically tilting the frame when the writing mechanism is moved back beyond the pivotal point of the frame, the frame serving, also, as a carboncarrier, supporting means for shifting the carbon, said means being actuated by the trackframe, and means for automatically depressing the forward end of the frame compressing the writing mechanism when brought in advance of the pivotal point of the frame, substantially as described.

'17. In a typewriter,a flat platen in combination with the pivoted paper-confining frame, and the writing mechanism arranged to traverse said frame and pass beyond the pivot for the purpose of automatically lifting the forward end of the frame, substantially as described.

18. Ina type-writer, a flat platen in combination with the pivoted paper-confining frame, and the writing mechanism arranged to traverse said frame and pass beyond the pivot for the purpose of automatically lifting the forward end of the frame, the said frame serving,

also, to carry a carbon-sheet, substantially as described.

19. In a type-writer, a flat platen, a tiltable track-frame hinged at a point somewhat removed from its rear end and intermediate of its length, and writing mechanism arranged to traverse said frame and to be positioned to one side of the hinge-point thereof for the purpose of effecting counterbalancing of the trackframe, substantially as described.

20. In a type-writer,a flat platen in combination with a pivoted paper confining frame hinged at apoint somewhat removed from its rear end to permit tilting thereof, and Writing mechanism arranged to traverse said frame and be positioned to one side of the pivot of the frame to efl ect counterbalancing of the frame and, also, when pushed back beyond the pivotal point to effect automatic tilting of the forward end thereof and, when drawn forward of the pivot automatically to effect depressing of the frame to normal position and retain the frame in such normal position until the writing mechanism shall have been positioned to the rear of said pivot, substantially as described.

21. In a type-writer, a fiat platen, a tiltable track-frame hinged at a point somewhat removed from its rear end, writing mechanism arranged to traverse said frame and to be positioned to one side of the hinge-point thereoffor the purpose of effecting counterbalancing of the track frame, rollers carried by the frame, and means cooperating therewith to effect rotation of the rollers by the tilting movement of the frame, substantially as described.

22. In a type-writer, a platen, movable trackrails hinged adjacent to, but somewhat removed from, their rear ends and constructed to tilt away from the platen, and a movable writing mechanism arranged to traverse the track-rails and adapted, when disposed to one side of the hinges, to counterbalance the said track-rails, substantially as described.

23. In a type-writer, a platen,movable trackrails, hinged adjacent to, but somewhat removed from, their rear ends and constructed to tilt away from the platen, and a movable writing mechanism constructed and arranged to traverse said track-rails and effect the counterbalancing of said track-rails when it is disposed to one side of the hinges and, also, for returningthe track-rails to normal position relative to the platen, and maintaining said rails in such position, when said writing mechanism is disposed at the opposite side of the hinges.

24. In a type-writer, a platen, movable onepiece track-rails hinged adjacent to, but somewhat removed from, their rear ends and constructed to tilt away from the platen, and a traveling writing mechanism constructed and arranged to traverse said track-rails and facilitate the lifting of the same away from the platen when it is disposed to one side of the hinges.

25. In a type-writer, a platen, movable onepiece track-rails hinged adjacent to, and a short distance in advance of, their rear ends, a movable member for facilitating lifting of said rails away from the platen when said member is disposed to one side of the hinges, and for returning and holding said rails in proper operative position when said member is disposed at the other side of the hinges.

26. In a writing-machine, aplaten, movable one-piece track-rails hinged at a point removed from their rear ends to dispose the rearwardlyextending section of the rails back of the hinges, and a movable member traversing said track-rails and effecting a depression of said rearwardly-extending section thereof to lift the opposite section when said member is moved back beyond the hinged point of the rails.

27. In a type-writer, a platen, movable onepiece, hinged track-rails constructed and arranged to have their rear ends extend beyond the hinged point, a traveling writing mechanism constructed and arranged to traverse said tracks and movable onto the rearwardlyextending portion of the tracks and thereby be supported to effect tilting of the rails away from the platen.

In testimony WhereofI affix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE W. DONNING.

Witnesses:

ANDREW W. STEIGER, JOHN R. WILTSIE. 

